After researching for several weeks for my ‘ideal’ major, I’ve found my profound love for “human behavioural biology”. It is what I plan on majoring in after watching professor Robert Sapolsky’s lectures for hours. My interest in that field has grown so much to the point that I know for a fact that this is what I want to pursue. And with the growth of my interest in that field came my increasing love for Stanford’s system. I plan on applying to it as my first choice, but I’d like to know what are my chances and how I can boost my resume and application to stand out.
(If you have any suggestions to improve my application as an International student, please tell me about them.)
I’ve maintained a GPA of 4.0 throughout high school.
I took 5 external exams in 10th grade (IGCSE English, Math, Biology, Arabic, and Computer science and scored 4A*s and 1 A)
In 11th grade, I took 11 external exams however none of the marks is released yet.
My extracurriculars are:
Gymnastics (I’ve won gold, silver, and bronze medals)
Volleyball (made it to the official team and competed nationally and won 3rd place)
Science fair (levitated a coil using eddy currents and scored a 4.2/5 winning 2nd place)
Shadow Academic Quality Controller
Shadow teacher for 7 subjects
Mentor
(I conducted extra classes on my weekends for students who struggle academically or need help in certain areas every week but due to corona I had to resort to video calls)
I started a project I’m extremely passionate about with my best friend. We are creating a website that offers academic help for students who are struggling with online classes (it can be used by anyone even after regular classes start once again). The reason I was motivated to start building this website is that every day, I see people giving up on trying to attend the college they’ve always dreamt of or the major they wanted to pursue. I saw potential being thrown away on a daily basis. After researching and asking multiple people, I found out that the main reason they were giving up was due to their low self-esteem levels. They felt that they were no longer competent enough due to their hard time focusing and learning from online classes.
The site I am currently building won’t only provide academic support, but it will also provide motivational and emotional support to those who feel broken and can’t continue (and later on this year I plan on starting a blog where we promote equality, social harmony, self-acceptance, and self-love). (I plan on doing so by adding a motivational section and an anonymous section where people can discuss what’s on their mind without being known and in turn we will respond and provide the maximum support we can. I’ve also created official social media sites where people can text us if there is something they need to see through or just simply want a more private talk about). I plan on carrying on with this project even after graduation and I will diversify the site’s content. This is because I believe that everyone has the potential to succeed and a voice that deserves to be empowered and heard. This is a big lifetime project which I am very excited about.
Thank you for your time and patience.
I’d like to add that my school doesn’t offer advice or counselling or any aid for college applications, and my parents can’t afford any counselling services, that is why I am in dire need of your POVs and suggestions. Thank you once again.
Are you specifically asking about your chances for admission to Stanford?
Stanford has a very wide range of sporting teams. Do you know if there is any chance for you to be recruited for volleyball or gymnastics?
I did a bit of volleyball when I was much younger, and I appreciate how very difficult it is to excel at volleyball.
I think that it is definitely worth an application regardless of the answer to my questions. You also need to apply to safeties as well – Stanford is not a safety for anyone.
Thank you for the advice.
Stanford is not my safety and I have other schools I plan on applying to too. I don’t really plan on joining a sports team there since I’m most likely going to get a job if possible (if not then ill consider it). I’d also like to add that I’m not asking for my chances specifically, but rather whether I am a strong applicant or not. (I live outside of the US in a country where all you have to do to get in is meet their grade requirements. That is why I don’t really know if the other features of my application are competitive enough. I’m still a junior so I believe I still have time to try changing some things about my application.)
(Also thank you soo much for your response it really motivated me to carry on, work harder, and search for more options.)
whether you’re a strong applicant or not could depend on whether you’re a recruited athlete, especially at a place like Stanford.
“Volleyball (made it to the official team and competed nationally and won 3rd place)”
Are you saying you or your team finished third for HS athletes in your country? As Dadtwogirls mentions, that could be significant. I would pursue the athlete angle, in the US, it’s a significant advantage if you can make the team.
Yes, we finished third and the difference in points was so small.
Okay, I’ll look into pursuing it. Thank you for the advice.
A student visa limits your ability to work in the US. Generally, expect 10 to 20 hours at the most.
I would also suggest athletic recruitment.
You can also have a job at the university as well as pursue a sport. I think you do have a strong application, but recruitment is always the best shot at getting accepted. I would like to mention to not pursue volleyball unless you are passionate. It can lead to a really awful college experience and you will begin dreading everything that you love. Otherwise, it’s a great way to get in. Good luck!!
Are you a boy or girl? Men’s volleyball was recently cut sadly. If the website is good, I recommend including the URL! Also, if you don’t have 10 extracurriculars to list, I recommend including the fact that you watch lectures for hours and hours as a type of supplemental learning (maybe select career-oriented or other on the common app).
@chloe0932 I’ve launched the website and it is doing really well that is why I included it on my common App. Also, I am a girl. Alright I’ll add it tysmm